Meet Gary Ryan, Author of "Blessings in Disguise"

Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the 1950s, Gary spent most of his teenage years in and out of jails and reform schools. Hoping to change his life, he moved to California in the early '60s and worked in the Camarillo State Mental Hospital (the Hotel California from the Eagle's song), acquiring a college degree and a reputation for success with patients on the acute psychotic intervention unit for adolescents. When the hospital closed due to budgetary restraints, Gary went into the construction business and now owns a successful concrete company which employs men and women who are in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. He is also an accomplished painter and exhibits throughout So. California. He and his wife, Diane, live in Ventura, California, just north of Los Angeles. Gary's book "Blessings in Disguise" is a story of redemption; overcoming anger, negativity and a proclivity for binge drinking that often resulted in extremely unpleasant consequences, such as jails and prison. The suffering brought on by years of anti-social behavior ended in an appeal for help to whatever force for good that may exist, and that force responded by inspiring actions that helped to create a fulfilling life of creativity and spirituality. Visit his web site: www.garyryan.me